natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-08-26 01:27 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #7 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma - once, you might have been able to speak to her, but now you are only met with silence.

When you awake, you will find yourself in Thesa Station. Your body is still cold, you're hungry, and the halls seem frighteningly bare somehow.

EMPTY HALLS    

Despite the absence of Darma and the rest of the Natha Orbiters, the station is still managing to sustain itself. Those that dig within the station’s log will find that it’s currently in some sort of Energy Saving Mode. While Thesa isn’t at risk of failing any time soon, people will notice that the ship will appear more dim and desolate. Malfunctions will be common, and while none seem to be life-threatening (yet), they are notably inconvenient. Fortunately, it seems the Orbiters were prepared for the worst, and in a potential response to these concerning turn of events, they've prepared some help.

Hi! My name is Yppilc, I will be your assistant on the station! It looks like you just woke up. Did you need help?


The virtual assistant takes a wide variety of shapes, from adorable animals to metal paper clips with googly eyes. Regardless of what form they take, their mission is clear: to help in any way they can. It’s unfortunate, however, that they just haven’t been calibrated properly. Hence, they will appear at the strangest times— in the middle of dinner or an important conversation— sometimes they won’t even offer anything useful. Apparently they were designed after a program that existed once, but who really knows....

However, while they may seem like nothing but trouble at first, there are many occasions in which they can actually help. They are equipped with a whole wealth of information on how to keep the station operational. They can offer tutorials and step-by-step instructions on how to fix various aspects of the station and beyond. Their knowledge is extensive, and if they believe the refugee they're assigned to needs a different kind of help (a lesson in smiling or how to have adequate small talk being some of the many topics they're equipped to teach), well ... they're not against supplying it. Expect some invasive teaching.

The virtual assistants are also all synced together. Meaning, if there’s a big enough problem, they can ping one another and assign refugees to help with certain parts of the ship. The only problem is that prioritizing may not be their strong suit. What seems like a simple issue could be exacerbated into a huge ordeal. What someone thinks is a fire in the main hatch could actually be a plumbing issue near the Mess Hall. They also seem to assign people arbitrarily. One can only hope all the refugees get along.

SEND HELP    

While no specific parts of the station are necessarily offline, a lot of the tasks the station would normally complete on its own will need to be handled manually. Fortunately, the main functions of the station are more than accounted for, however everything else will be up to the refugees. As there is no telling when the Natha Orbiters will return, perhaps it’d be wise to take this opportunity to learn to be a little more self-sufficient on Thesa Station.

1. There are some areas the Station can’t automatically clean without exiting its current emergency protocols. Each of these areas will be marked off on the map provided by Thesa's very own virtual assistant, Yppilc. According to Yppilc, one of the key places that would benefit from a good wash down is the airlock. As a fair amount of foreign matter travels through these doors, special suits will be provided for those cleaning the area. The suits will have a built-in communications system and will also include its own oxygen tank. A helpful feature to have, just in case someone may be swept out into space. Which happens more often than one would think! Cleaning too close to the controls can trigger the doors to open… they’re sensitive. The oxygen tank isn’t equipped to last very long, so you can only help comes soon.

On the bright side, in the event that someone is stuck outside and running low on oxygen, rescuers can easily share some of their air with them. The suits are built to be able to connect to one another like an adhesive. To activate this oxygen-sharing mode, refugees will be required to follow several steps. Hand on one another's shoulders, eye contact, helmets pressed against each other— each suit follows a slightly different set of steps, but they’re probably not any less awkward. While it looks a little absurd and while maneuverability might be a bit of an issue, at least everyone is breathing!

2. Space is unpredictable at times. It isn’t uncommon for the station or its pods to occasionally brush against meteors or asteroids. While Thesa is well-fortified, it doesn’t mean that these asteroids don’t need closer inspection. A lot of rare materials can be mined from them, and while this domain would normally be handled by the Natha, it’s now the job of the refugees to procure pieces of it. You never know when this alternate source of energy and fuel could come in handy, after all! Refugees will be provided two-person pods to go and retrieve these materials. While they can physically descend from the pod once they get out there, they can also control the pods to drill and pick up these materials. Though, the controls are a bit difficult.

3. Without the Orbiters to operate the the kitchen, the Mess Hall will also experience a steep shortage of food. All the ingredients used in the cafeteria were actually conjured up by the Natha, hence without them— people will discover that there isn’t enough food for the new refugees. Old refugees will be pinged prior to their arrival at Thesa Station and the message is clear: bring and cook food for the new refugees. With the errors on the ship, it seems that many of them woke up hungry. For those that lack confidence in their culinary skills&Mdash; they say food tastes better when you’re starving.

GIFTS FROM THESA    

The Natha have bequeathed their will unto the refugees, the burden of watching over their dear planet not given without a token of trust. Everyone, those newly awakened and those already settled, will receive periodic urging from Yppilc to visit the VR facilities. These messages will grow more frequent, more frantic, the longer they go ignored - for the sake of sleep, it’s best to indulge the request.

Load into the simulation, and the scene is mired by the confusion of battle. You and another stand on a low hanging precipice, overlooking a failing front line. The location and conditions of the fight vary, drawn from the memories and fears of the participants themselves. Olympia and Wyver, locked in a caustic war - and your new home is succumbing. Or your homeland, entrenched in conflict from the past, or from a dreaded future. While the scene laid out before you is chaotic, one thing stands clear; your allies are fighting a losing battle. Comrades fall, innocents flee, and the wounded cry out for help. The program has determined what could best spur you and your comrade to intervene, though the more stubborn refugees may need additional goading from their partners.

Your next action determines more than the outcome of the fight before you. Choose wisely - this message is conveyed mentally in a garbled voice that sounds familiar and ethereal all at once. Jump into action and fight. Save an ally - perhaps even your partner in this simulation - from certain death. Or help those who cannot help themselves. Act, and you will find yourself imbued with a new power. Use it, and the scene will soon come to a close. Despite returning to the reality of Thesa Station, you’ll find this newfound power still within your grasp. A gift from Darma, to aid in the battles to come.

OOC Note: Feel free to give your character any one power that would be classified as a ‘major spell’ on the ACP rewards table. These powers can fall under any category (Unaffiliated, Natha, Olympia, or Wyver), and must be reported by existing characters and new applicants here under the most appropriate header no later than September 8th 11:59PM EST. Please include a brief description of the power you’ve chosen. You will receive a response within 48 hours if there are any modifications required.

SOCIAL-LINKED(in)   
By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

PROBLEMS IN STASIS    

1. The ship’s malfunctions have reached the stasis chamber, a long feared outcome finally dawning on sleeping friends and families. Yppilc will be quick to notify all refugees aboard that the pods will need close monitoring. Whether you’re visiting to keep an eye on things, or simply there to see the face of someone dear, be careful. Bumping a control panel, or drawing a hand along the glass could trigger an emergency ejection. Lights blink and a mechanism hisses, and then the pod is gone. With the pod thrust into space, you’ll be left with nothing but a small screen displaying the chamber’s position. There are ways to retrieve it— such as climbing into a suit from the airlock or following Yppilc’s instructions. Regardless of approach, it’s imperative that you stay calm. One error, and you could eject another pod or cut off the view screen entirely.

2. The newly awakened won’t find a moment of respite. The errors that pervade over the rest of the station have altered the contingencies for resuscitation in a majority of the pods. Some may awaken with gaps in their memory, or an old injury yet unhealed. Some may be afflicted with new ailments, such as loss of a sense or severe nausea. Anything could happen, with the computer systems processing so inconsistently. Interfacing with Thesa in any way, from entering the VR simulator to accessing the medical facilities, can cause the same range of side effects, so even established refugees should take caution.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!

These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose. Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below.

Players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is September 16 11:59 PM EST.

For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on September 2 12:01 AM EST and end on September 4 11:59 PM EST. Thank you!

firetouched: (002)

[personal profile] firetouched 2018-08-28 05:32 am (UTC)(link)
-- Huh?? [ The word is slurred, sluggish like the rest of him. He filters out her voice through the haze and forces his eyes open. ] No - Yeah. I'm fine.

[ He'd hoped that once his energy ran out, it would stop, but it seems to be sucking from reserves he didn't even know he had. He's careful as he stands, stumbling with his normal hand braced on the wall. ]

I don't know what's happening -
firetouched: (Default)

[personal profile] firetouched 2018-08-28 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
I mean, I'm not not immortal. Personally. But the power of the Iron Fist is. Passed down from warrior to warrior.
spideys: (146 ❖ you're not serious.)

[personal profile] spideys 2018-08-28 05:33 am (UTC)(link)
uh

is this like some kind of weird joke?
flask: (optimistic but)

gifts, option a

[personal profile] flask 2018-08-28 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
[Nott freezes in place, looking every bit shocked to be addressed suddenly in such an authoritative way, because she is, despite being the only other real live person in this whole simulation thing that she's not even 100% sure is a simulation.]

Right! Right! Saving people! That's... a goal.

[She feels woefully underequipped for this, having only her magic at her disposal and no crossbow or short sword. Instead, she slips a hand into her pocket and pulls out a flask and takes a healthy swig from it, gazing out at the chaos around them with unease in her eyes.

As she does, she has to pull aside her mask and unintentionally reveals a row of razor sharp teeth, tangled up in her mouth in ways only found in someone who's never seen whatever dentist might be required to look at such an astonishing configuration of incisors.
]
spideys: (208 ❖ oookay.)

[personal profile] spideys 2018-08-28 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
someone's gotta right?

whoa crazy backstory

i mean that in the best way

so does that mean this whole el nysa thing is just a regular tuesday?
flask: (but you start to lose control)

text ( un: thebrave )

[personal profile] flask 2018-08-28 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
Dogs stop being scary once you've eaten enough of them
Anyway you're one of those idols! Aquors! Yohane will be so pleased
Now we'll have to rename the group though...
spideys: (158 ❖ it's business time. ( spidey ))

[personal profile] spideys 2018-08-28 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
Superhero suit. [ This back-and-forth is going to give him whiplash. He turns back to Cheryl, looking incredulous beneath the mask. ] Definitely superhero suit.

[ Ohmygod????!!!! ]

Seriously? What kinda fetish could someone possibly have wearing this - no, no, you know what, I don't wanna know.

[ He crosses his arms and studies the battle. And if he puffs his chest out a little, making an attempt to be serious and in charge it's not because her comment smarts or anything, noooo. Nope. He's fine. This costume is awesome.

It's aerodynamic.

And red and blue looks great on him.

Yeah. ]


So a civil war, huh? Guess calling a time-out hasn't worked in the past, has it?
sheriffing: (🌟 02)

[personal profile] sheriffing 2018-08-28 05:40 am (UTC)(link)
I guess you'd better keep doing your thing, Science Boy.

It's only sometimes the best way.

El Nysa's... a lot different than what I'm used to. What about you?
tellmehowthisfeels: (Oh really?)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[Moira sighs. While she would prefer to take the time to figure out how the technology works she is aware that isn't the purpose of this simulation. It rather seems they are meant to help the poor unfortunates here. At the very least she can be sure it will give her more accurate information for how good this technology is for conveying virtual reality.

And since her companion doesn't appear to be taking charge, it would seem that the task is up to her. Very well.]


There is little to be done for this girl. She is injured but nothing life threatening. Presently she is more scared than anything else.

[She walks away from the girl and casually makes her way closer to the chaos.]

If you wish to help her then let us put an end to what is taking place here. She and the others are more likely to suffer and become injured if the simulation continues.
ofaustria: geekyshoelaces ([regal] necklace)

[personal profile] ofaustria 2018-08-28 05:41 am (UTC)(link)
[He often had the gift of understatement when it suited him and her eyebrows lift slightly at the remark that it's unlike anything he's imagined. She's certainly never imagined anything so... metallic, either.]

God's design. My son is lost somewhere in this. [Her deep breath is measured and she refuses to resort to a raised tone in front of people she doesn't know.] This place.

[The emphasis on 'my' is deliberate, though the way she looks at him cannot be mistaken.] I don't wish for him to wake up alone, but I've been told not everyone wakes up.

[is that worse? Better?]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Talon appreciates her)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
[And so it begins. Moira had expected this would happen and she casually adds this user to her list of people to watch. Largely so that when her projects begin she won't get interrupted so needlessly.]

The dog is meant to be a companion. A pet.
spideys: (157 ❖ bravest kid. ( spidey ))

[personal profile] spideys 2018-08-28 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
[ Considering a hot teenage girl just called Spider-Man's suit a 'fetish costume', he's in literally no place to judge right now.

Her disguise does give him pause, but as previously noted, he's just curious. No judgments will be passed by the guy in the spandex suit today, nosiree. ]


Yeah. And they look like they're gonna keep going unless we do something. Hey, you wouldn't happen to have a really, really big newspaper, would you?
tellmehowthisfeels: (Oho~)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:44 am (UTC)(link)
[Her eyes roll skyward at the utterly ridiculous tone to the message before she decides to engage. If only to see what else she can get from this one.]

Merely a contract that sells your very soul to me. Surely that is but a small price.
summertimeblues: http://www.hollow-art.com/users/jessecuster (013)

[personal profile] summertimeblues 2018-08-28 05:45 am (UTC)(link)
Actually it's quite steep, but we do offer layaway.
spideys: (146 ❖ you're not serious.)

[personal profile] spideys 2018-08-28 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
just plain and boring earth for me

[ Well, boring if you don't count the science experiments gone wrong, like gigantic lizards and dudes who turn into actual electricity. ]

so this is definitely NOT a regular tuesday for me

its an insane idkwhatday

and i have a feeling its gonna transform into idkwhatweek

not sure how to prepare for it
sheriffing: (🌟 5429)

[personal profile] sheriffing 2018-08-28 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Yeah, it's an idkwhatyear for me.

There's no way to prepare. You just have to do the best you can.
Edited 2018-08-28 05:47 (UTC)
tellmehowthisfeels: (Gifted scientist)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
[The young woman across from her has a rather unique appearance. Moira casually studies her before answering, intrigued to know about her genetic makeup.]

If you would be so kind.

[For how intense Moira's presence is, she's actually quite polite. Lifting her right arm and revealing a surprisingly purple hand with extremely long nails, she calmly points to something. She assumes it is some sort of sandwich but what kind seems to be a mystery.]

What manner of sandwich is this? Also, do you happen to have coffee to serve? I seem to be quite famished and chilled.
tellmehowthisfeels: (Coyly smiling)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:53 am (UTC)(link)
That would be a matter of psychology which is not a field I've ever cared for. There is too much in that field of study that is open to interpretation.

[Stepping to the side as a piece of wall hits the ground, she continues to move forward. However, she does pause at what he said. Because that is rather interesting.]

So there is potential for this simulation to be dangerous then.

[She considers that a moment before smiling at him.]

How fortunate for you I am able to heal you then.
america: (244)

1.

[personal profile] america 2018-08-28 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
Whoa - hey. I didn't mean to interrupt.

[ Steve has his hands raised half-way before him in surrender, even though it's not very likely he'll be needing to defend himself. He recognizes the man almost immediately, even though the resemblance is ... well, it's still the same and yet not.

And it's stranger still because he knows Bucky, knows this Bucky, but he isn't quite the same either. He's older, more weathered, and maybe he resembles his Bucky a little more than he used to. ]
flask: (he sees what i see)

[personal profile] flask 2018-08-28 05:55 am (UTC)(link)
[The thing about that is, Nott feels way more confident she can help one little girl than she does to ending an entire large-scale battle. She tears herself away from the child and follows the woman, hesitantly.]

Sure. Sure. We can do that. That's easy. Stop a simulation.

[She pauses.]

It'd probably be easier to break whatever construct is causing it than stop a real fake war.

[...Nott, that is decidedly not the point of this at all????]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Tell me more)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
How generous. It is so rare that one should find a layaway option for matters concerning guinea pigs.
beforetherewassex: (167)

[personal profile] beforetherewassex 2018-08-28 05:57 am (UTC)(link)
[Okay, that was a good ramble. But she's queen of them.]

Do you think they have one? I mean, really? Because they really should, and if not, someone needs to make one. Call it... [She thinks for a moment.] So Your World Has Come To An End - a guide on how to handle all this weird stuff. I might actually start writing that, well, maybe once I figure out all this weird stuff.

But Chips and dip sound good.
sweetwater: (012)

[personal profile] sweetwater 2018-08-28 05:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ she's just saying that it appears to be very expensive skintight latex and she has cable. she's seen the docudramas.

but there will hopefully be time to argue about his fetish gymnast look later. she offers a shrug at his question. ]


I think they have a lot in common. But they've been at each other's throats for ages, and even though they both live on this weird medieval planet, they don't want to work together. [ she pauses. ] Looks like it's all finally coming to a head. Unfortunately, they expect all of the refugees - that's you and me - to take sides. I've been living in Olympia, so I suppose I've already chosen.
tellmehowthisfeels: (Looks that kill)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-28 06:02 am (UTC)(link)
A bold suggestion. One that I have a feeling will not end so well.

[It does leave Moira looking rather bemused though. Destroy such intriguing technology? Of course she would find someone who would suggest such a thing. What waste it would be too. For now she decides not to mention that fact since it does seem that her companion is listening to her and going along with what she suggests.

Though, some destruction could be useful now that the suggestion has been made. Moira studies her surroundings as she hears the words "Choose wisely" fill the air in a garbled tone.

How cliche.]


Breaking something could work though...

[Sometimes the best ideas come from seeing what others have thought of and improving it. At least that has been her experience.]
romancekiller: (pic#8640872)

empty halls!!

[personal profile] romancekiller 2018-08-28 06:08 am (UTC)(link)
[it was noticeably different being back on the station between the change in the atmosphere of it to seeing the weird robot like things roaming around attempting to help people.

clarke was focused on being here for the same reason as most when she heard the news of people waking up from stasis and the call for assistance to due to the food shortage in the cafeteria. she's just wandering through the halls trying to head towards the stasis pods first a bit caught up in her thoughts and whether any of her friends would be awake this time around but she abruptly finds herself coming to a stop when she hears a familiar voice arguing with one of those robots]
Lance?

[she turns to look towards and the recognition is immediate on her side at least even though it has been a while since she had last seen or talked with him. it doesn't even occur to her yet that he might not remember but she approaches to help him out as she starts talking with the robot cat keeping her demeanor fairly calm in comparison] Hey. Cancel that agitation protocol— okay?

We both appreciate the help but I can take it from here and show him to where he needs to go. [now whether the robot cat listens is another thing entirely but the point is that she tried!!]